The Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle has died, aged 36, after a recurrence of acute myeloid leukaemia.
Lyle announced this week that he had ceased active treatment for his illness and had begun palliative care.
He died on Wednesday night among his family and close friends in the Victorian town of Torquay.
His wife, Briony, said in a statement: “It breaks my heart to tell everyone that Jarrod is no longer with us.”
Lyle had been fighting cancer for a third time since its recurrence last year. But as his condition deteriorated in hospital, his wife revealed on Wednesday last week the heartbreaking decision to end his treatment.
Tributes from the world of golf flowed for Lyle, who was described as “a joy to be around” and an “inspiration to many”.
“The world lost a good man,” wrote South African former world No 1 Ernie Els.
“A class act to the very end,” Bill Shorten, leader of the Australian Labor Party, wrote.
It is through a river of tears I say goodbye to my friend Jarrod Lyle. A wonderful father, friend and golfer. Quick with a joke, didn’t mind a beer, and just a pure joy to be around every day. Miss you mate. RIP
— Greg Chalmers (@GregChalmersPGA) August 8, 2018
Incredibly sad news about Jarrod Lyle. Tough times for everyone on tour losing someone so special but I cannot imagine what he and his family went and are going through. RIP
— Francesco Molinari (@F_Molinari) August 8, 2018
It is with a heavy heart and a mountain of tears that I say a final goodbye to my friend Jarrod Lyle. For 20 years he fought this disease like no one could. Thank you for touching us all in so many wonderful ways! RIP to a champion of a human.
— Tripp Isenhour (@TrippIsenhourGC) August 8, 2018
@jarrodlylepga brave fight with cancer has been an inspiration to many. Thoughts are with his beautiful kids and family 🙏🏽
— Kelly Kraft (@kkraft11) August 8, 2018
Always sad to hear of losing a member of the @PGATOUR family. Thoughts and prayers with @jarrodlylepga and his family.
— Scott Stallings (@stallingsgolf) August 8, 2018
Lyle is survived by Briony and daughters Lusi, 6, and Jemma, 2.
“Lusi, Jemma and I are filled with grief and now must confront our lives without the greatest husband and father we could ever have wished for,” Briony said.
“At the same time, we have been blessed and overwhelmed with the messages and actions of support from around the world and feel comforted that Jarrod was able to happily impact so many people throughout his life. Our humble thanks to you all.
“Jarrod was able to take in many of the unbelievably kind and generous acts and words in his final few days and was overwhelmed by the emotional outpouring.
“He asked that I provide a simple message: ‘Thanks for your support, it meant the world. My time was short, but if I’ve helped people think and act on behalf of those families who suffer through cancer, hopefully it wasn’t wasted.’”
A public memorial service will be held in Torquay at a date to be announced later.
Lyle won two professional tournaments during his career – the Mexican Open and the Knoxville Open, both in 2008.
The leukaemia he first suffered as a 17-year-old recurred in 2012, putting a stop to his golf career before he made a remarkable return to the game in 2013.
